Q&A with Jaimie

Who has inspired you and helped shape you into the (amazing) businesswoman you are now?
There are a few people that come to mind.

1) My late grandfather and my namesake, James, who was a self-made man. He grew up in the carpet camps in Dalton, GA, was able to attend college on a baseball scholarship, and went on to build and sell three different companies. While he was known as a tough cookie when it came to business, he also loved in larger-than-life ways!

2) Both of my parents, who have always owned or been involved with family businesses. Growing up, my parents ingrained in my brother and I that we could do anything we set our minds on and to never—ever—quit!

3) Last, but not least, my husband. He has really been so supportive and has created a space for me to get my hands dirty and work alongside of him. It’s been such a wild ride to learn so many facets of the real estate and design business in such a short amount of time, but jumping into things headfirst has always been my style.


If you had to pick one thing…what would you say has been the key to your success?
I think my attitude. We run a tight ship and have a small but mighty team, so we all really depend on each other. However, we’re busy! And there are alllllways fires to put out in business not to mention, on top of that, life happens. With that, I’ve found that 10 times out of 10, with the right attitude you can make anything happen.


Tell us a little about your role within the Dewberry Group and the other ventures you are involved in?
I am the Director of The Dewberry Foundation. This division of our company is the charitable arm and I manage all contributions and strategic planning.

Additionally, I am one of the principals of Studio Dewberry, our in-house design and architecture team which handles everything from architecture and interiors to product development and procurement, as well as graphic art and branding, for all of the real estate and hospitality properties within Dewberry Group’s portfolio.


Everyone’s talking about pivoting as the key to success during these crazy times. How has the Dewberry Foundation pivoted to continue to support others?
My personal favorite “pivot” project in 2020 was lost loose and loved – a land art piece that we showcased in Atlanta in partnership with glo ATL. We have a sloping, yet-to-be developed piece of land in Midtown Atlanta that we allowed native Southern wildflowers to be planted on, that represent diversity, green justice, and hope. The site-specific micro prairie was an invitation to join with community and feed our consciousness through the art of choreography and enacting social duties related to place, the body, and the environment.

glo has been commissioned by Dewberry Group and Dewberry Foundation to map the 2.5 acre site with wildflowers to rise up through summer. On September 10th, six female moving artists and sound artists serenaded its flowers and human listeners. It was truly a moving experience which was well received throughout the Atlanta community.